After years of having Machu Picchu on my list of places to visit, I was lucky enough to finally get the chance to go this past January. In preparing for my trip and deciding what to bring there were several things that factored into my choice to use the Manfrotto Pro Light Camera Backpack. I needed something fairly compact, yet large enough to carry the cameras and lenses I needed, as well as food, water and whatever else might seem necessary.
The Pro Light Camera Backpack was easily able to carry my Sony a7RII, 16-35/4, 24-70/4, 70-200/4, extra batteries in the main camera compartment. Extra memory cards and a Color Checker in the small front pockets. A Gitzo Traveler tripod on the outside with the tripod attachment system. An RX100III in one side pocket and granola bars in the other side compartment. With a ham and cheese sandwich, a bottle of diet coke, two water bottles, and a sweatshirt in the top compartment, all that, without being bulky or heavy.
The travel plans for Machu Picchu were among the most complicated of any trip I have done. To get to Machu Picchu from Lima, I took a flight on a small regional airline into Cusco. Then a 1.5 hour taxi ride from the Cusco airport to Ollantaytambo, where the train station was. Next a two hour train ride to Machu Picchu Pueblo, the small village nearest to the Machu Picchu ruins. With all that running around, being able to put my cameras on my back was a huge asset.
After arriving in the early evening, I stayed the night in Machu Picchu Pueblo, then took the bus up to Machu Picchu itself early the next morning. The bus ride is on steep, narrow roads and doesn’t really give any indication of how amazing the destination is. Entering through the main gate, I turned the corner and was immediately in awe as the, 600 year old ruins stretched out before me. Machu Picchu is vast, and I wandered for several hours exploring the ruins. Then at 10 am I went to check in for a hike up Wayna Picchu.
Only 400 people a day are allowed up Wayna Picchu, 200 at 8 am and another 200 at 10 am. The mountain towers 1000 feet above Machu Picchu and looked intimidatingly steep. I checked in shortly after 10 and began the trek up, it is a very steep trail with steel cables in parts to help when it would otherwise be too dangerous or difficult. With the comfort and fit of the Manfrotto Pro Light Backpack, I was able to concentrate on my footing and the fantastic views without noticing the backpack at all. The hike was difficult, but the reward was an amazing view of Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains as I looked down from above. Once I reached the top, the height started becoming very apparent to me, while it is 1000 feet above Machu Picchu, it is about 2000 feet above the river valley far below with little besides an occasional tree between you and the river far below. The hike down is not for the faint of heart was one of the more challenging things I have ever done. If heights are not your thing, I recommend turning around at the terrace everybody rests on with the view of Machu Picchu, rather than doing the complete hike.
The hike down was much easier than the hike up, and I spent the next few hours walking around the ruins before taking the bus back to my hotel.
Whatever your inclination, Machu Picchu is a truly awe-inspiring place and is well worth a visit at least once in everyone’s life.
